NEPSAC Showcase - Saturday Standouts II

Today, we'll continue to take a look at some of the standout performers from Saturday's action at the NEPSAC Showcase.   In gyms filled with future college players, these five prospects stood out with their ability to make game changing plays on both ends of the floor.   While all five of them get it done in different ways, each has one big thing in common - their competitiveness and will to win.   Below are five prospects that caught my attention on Saturday at Babson.    A 6'2" lead guard for Worcester Academy, Jenkins plays the game with unbridled passion. And, it doesn't matter if there are 10 people in the gym or 10,000, D3 coaches or high majors, he approaches each and every game the same exact way. In a gym filled with scholarship level talent, his competitive fire and will to win stood out. On top of that, he continues to improve as a decision maker and tough shot maker that can get to the rim at will off the bounce. While he still has a lean frame, he's looking stronger and more athletic than he was this winter, and is relentless in his efforts to get into the paint off the bounce. Defensively, he locks up at the point of attack and makes life miserable for opposing ball-handlers. A national stock riser this spring, he's a lock to play at the high major level in a few years.     A 6'9" big for Albany Academy, Macon is a presence around the rim on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he stands out with his ability to protect the rim, both blocking and altering shots at a high rate. While that's an elite skill, his ceiling intrigues due to his combination of agility, mobility, and positional size and length. He's able to guard all over the floor, covering ground quickly. Offensively, he's an effective screener-roller that can make plays off of hard rolls to the rim or by finding soft spots in the defensive out of short rolls. He's an explosive athlete that gets off the floor quickly, making him a big time threat out of the dunker spot. He's got a huge catch radius and a terrific set of hands, allowing him to catch amost everything thrown his way. Put the whole package together and you have a definite Division I scholarship prospect.     A 7'0" big for Cushing Academy, Edema continued his spring ascension with multiple impressive showings this weekend. The big man is among the most improved prospects in the country over the last 12 months - which is a scary thought given that he's also one of the most physically impressive posts in the country. He has an elite motor and is relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor. He gets up and down the floor quickly, is a high level shot blocker both on the ball and from the help side, and has started to find his voice as the back line of defense. Offensively, he's a lob threat off of drives, has burst as a finisher out of the dunker spot, and is a terrific screener-to-roller finisher. For someone who has played in every event imaginable this spring, his ability to consistently show up and give great effort game after game is admirable. He's a Top 50 prospect in the country and has the recruitment to back it up, he'll play high major basketball when it's all said and done.     A 6'4" guard for Vermont Academy, Whyte was one of the most impressive 27s in the gym, utilizing his combination of positional size, athleticism, and toughness to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He has a lean frame but plays with good strength, that combined with his length allows him to be a disruptive perimeter defender. He can guard either spot in the back-court and even defends wings at times, turning opposing ball-handlers over and making plays in passing lanes. Offensively, he's got a quick first step off the bounce and has the ability to finish with both creativity and power around the rim. He does a nice job of stepping into his perimeter jumper in catch and shoot situations and continues to develop his mid-range game off the bounce. He's got all the tools that scholarship level coaches look for in a perimeter stopper and packs some punch offensively too, meaning he should be an in-demand recruit going forward.     A 6'11" big for Bridgton Academy, Sylla dominates in the paint with his combination of size, strength, and toughness. The lefty is a throwback of sorts - he knows who he is and what he does well and doesn't try to be anyone but himself. He sets backbreaking screens, carves out space early in the paint, and shows impressive footwork when making scoring moves. He plays with a good motor that allows him to make an impact on the offensive glass and roll hard to the rim out of ball screens. Defensively, he makes it hard to establish deep post position for opponents, cleans up on the glass in traffic, and walls up without fouling. His presence in the paint alone can deter opposing guards from trying to get downhill off the bounce. He's skilled offensively, tough on both ends, and plays with a mean edge defensively. He has some impressive offers to his name and will be a mid-to-high major priority this year.

Today, we'll continue to take a look at some of the standout performers from Saturday's action at the NEPSAC Showcase.